The youth population of the world is estimated 1.8 billion, the largest it has ever been. The crucial role that youth can play in promoting peace, security and peacebuilding will be the subject of an EU conference on "Youth, Peace and Security, Promoting Youth in Peace building" on 23-24 May in Brussels. It will bring together young peacebuilders, senior EU leaders, the UN, MEPs and civil society from Europe, Africa and the Mediterranean.You can join and follow all the discussions using the hashtag #youth4peace. The event is due to be opened by the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani and closed by EU High Representative/Vice President Federica Mogherini.

EU cooperation in the field of defence is advancing fast, creating new opportunities to innovate, create jobs and increase the security of our continent. Speaking at an event organised by the think tank Italia Decide in Rome on 12 February 2018, EU High Representative Federica Mogherini highlighted how the European approach of deepening cooperation across the board and taking a comprehensive approach to security showed an ambition which matched today's challenges.

Reflecting the key role the EU is playing in the reconstruction of Iraq, the EU will co-chair an international conference aiming to renew and reinforce international commitments to the Iraqi people and government.

The European Union and Afghanistan have launched, in the framework of the inaugural Joint EU-Afghanistan Committee, a new phase of cooperation and partnership aiming to bolster security, good governance, economic growth and human rights.

In a discussion with the first high representative for EU common foreign and security policy, Javier Solana and former German minister of foreign affairs and vice-chancellor Joschka Fischer, Federica Mogherini outlined on 13 December six ideas for deeper cooperation, from more joint military training to the establishment of a European Peace Facility.